Please explain: Doyle on anti-gay law

LORD mayor Robert Doyle has requested an urgent meeting with Russia's ambassador and a briefing from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to discuss new anti-gay laws in St Petersburg.

The move follows a petition by Carl Katter, half-brother of federal MP Bob Katter, to have Melbourne City Council dump its sister-city relationship with St Petersburg because he said the Russian city had enacted ''horrific'' anti-gay laws.

More than 4800 people have signed the petition at Change.org.

The Russian city has introduced broad laws banning ''homosexual propaganda''.

''It is referred to as the gay propaganda law, but it is all-encompassing,'' said Mr Katter, a campaigner for marriage equality.

''Melbourne is one of the most progressive cities of the world … and our mayor and council should be proud of that and stand up to such blatant homophobia,'' Mr Katter said.

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Cr Doyle said ''I am very aware of the new laws in St Petersburg.

''I have sought a meeting with the Russian ambassador, I will take advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and once we have had those conversations we will be making further comment,'' he said.

''Obviously my first position is, it is always best to continue to talk to try and effect outcomes in a positive way.''

The Italian fashion capital Milan is already believed to have frozen its sister-city relationship with St Petersburg over the gay rights issue.

''The community has been watching what has been happening in St Petersburg and the stories that have been coming out have been pretty devastating - and the fact that we are a sister city with them is not a good look,'' Mr Katter said.